Here you can find impact studies commissioned by UTZ, as well as a selection of other studies that look at the UTZ program. Download full reports, read UTZ’ responses to the studies or get a quick overview of the reports’ highlights on our 2 pagers.
Systematic review on agricultural certification schemes |
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Various commodities and countries |
2017 |
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| This systematic review looked at the socio-economic outcomes of certification standards such as price, income, yields and wages. It covers several certification programs (including UTZ, Faitrade, the Rainforest Alliance, Organic, RSPO, and more) and several products (coffee, tea cocoa, nuts, fruits, and more). The researchers assessed a wide range of qualitative and quantitative studies. | ||
| Researchers: Campbell Collaboration | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | |
Evaluation report on the UTZ tea program Sri Lanka |
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Tea |
Sri Lanka |
2016 |
| This study evaluated the social, economic and environmental outcomes of the UTZ tea program in Sri Lanka. The researchers took a qualitative approach, combining different research methods. They assessed the UTZ program within the local context, from the perspective of different stakeholders, and also looked for unexpected changes. | ||
| Researchers: Fair & Sustainable Advisory Services (the Netherlands) and Nucleus Foundation (Sri Lanka), | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Evaluation of UTZ in the Indonesian cocoa sector |
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Cocoa |
Indonesia |
2016 |
| This independent evaluation carried out by AidEnvironment used qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the UTZ program in Indonesia after two years. Research was carried out in two regions: Sulawesi and Sumatra. | ||
| Researcher: Aidenvironment | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Impact of UTZ certification on cocoa producers in Ghana 2011 – 2014 |
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Cocoa |
Ghana |
2016 |
| This particular impact evaluation analyses the changes in economic performance, working conditions and living conditions of Ghanaian cocoa farmers enrolled in 6 cocoa sustainability projects over a four year period (2011–2014). | ||
| Researcher: LEI Wageningen UR | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Effects of UTZ certification according to coffee farmers in Brazil |
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Coffee |
Brazil |
2015 |
| The independent study took place during the months of April to November 2014 in the Minas Gerais and São Paulo States. It includes the views of 89 certificate holders and 17 key stakeholders. | ||
| Researcher: BSD Consulting and Ibi Eté Consultoria | ||
| Full report EN PT | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Case Study: UTZ Certified Rooibos Farms in South Africa |
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Rooibos |
South Africa |
2014 |
| The researchers carried out interviews with all UTZ Certified Rooibos farms and processors providing an interesting insight into their perceptions of the UTZ Certified program. | ||
| Researchers: Sandra Kruger & associates | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Impact Evaluation of UTZ Certified Coffee Program in Colombia |
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Coffee |
Colombia |
2014 |
| The research was carried out by the Centre for Regional Entrepreneurial and Coffee Studies (CRECE), a non-profit organization based in Colombia, with 28 years experience in socio-economic research and consulting. The data used for this impact evaluation was drawn from data collected between 2008 and 2011 as part of a broader study that was conducted by CRECE in collaboration with Committee on Sustainable Assessment (COSA). | ||
| Researcher: Centre for Regional Entrepreneurial and Coffee Studies (CRECE) | ||
| Full report ENES | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Living Wage for Kenya |
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Living Wage |
Kenya |
2014 |
| The study estimates living wage in comparison to wages paid in the flower sector in semi-urban Naivasha. The benchmark will also be adapted to set a living wage level for rural Kenya. The report has been co-funded with Fairtrade and Sustainable Agriculture Network/Rainforest Alliance (SAN/RA). Fairtrade, UTZ and SAN/RA collaborate on the living wage topic together with other members of the ISEAL Alliance of standard setting organisations, GoodWeave and Forest Stewardship Council, and with Social Accountability International. The Kenya report is the fourth in a series of reports benchmarking living wages, the first three were released earlier in 2014. | ||
| Researcher: Living wage experts Richard and Martha Anker. | ||
| Full report | Summary | |
Impact of UTZ Certification of cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire: Assessment framework and baseline |
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Cocoa |
Côte d’Ivoire |
2014 |
| This study is a baseline assessment of cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire conducted by LEI Wageningen UR. The evaluation focuses on the implementation of the UTZ Code of Conduct between 2008 and 2012, the added value of the UTZ program for farmers and the inclusiveness of the program. | ||
| Researcher: LEI Wageningen UR | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | Highlights |
Living Wage reports |
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Living Wage |
South Africa, Dominican Republic and Malawi |
2014 |
| Three reports published in June 2014 set new living wage benchmarks for rural South Africa, Dominican Republic and Malawi. The reports document worker needs in detail, in a simple, transparent way that everyone can understand. The reports explain exactly what workers would be able to afford for themselves and their families if they were paid the estimated living wage. They also compare living wage estimates with current wages and include innovative ways to estimate fair and reasonable values for in-kind benefits. | ||
| Dominican Republic | Malawi | South Africa |
Cocoa Farms in Ghana. An Evaluation of the Impact of UTZ Certification on the Sustainability of Smallholders supported by the Solidaridad Cocoa Programme 2010-2012, COSA |
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Cocoa |
Ghana |
2013 |
| This independent impact evaluation was commissioned to gain insight into the effectiveness of the training and certification program of UTZ and Solidaridad in Ghana. The evaluation aimed to assess to what extent the economic, social and environmental conditions of cocoa farmers included in the program were improved. The farmers surveyed in 2010 and 2012 belong to AHANSUCOFA, a producer organization assisted by Solidaridad. The research design intended to capture and track differences between certified and non-certified farmers over time. A sample of non-certified farmers was surveyed as well. An additional round of data collections was conducted in 2013 to validate earlier findings. A validation workshop with local stakeholders was held in 2013. | ||
| Researcher: The Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA) | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ reponse | |
A Touch of Cocoa, Baseline study of six UTZ-Solidaridad cocoa projects in Ghana in 2012 (Wageningen – LEI) |
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Cocoa |
Ghana |
2013 |
| This study presents the baseline situation (2012) of cocoa farmers in Ghana assisted by UTZ, Solidaridad and local partners to achieve UTZ certification. The baseline has sampled farmers from 6 different projects in three regions. The research was commissioned by Solidaridad and UTZ Certified to create an impartial benchmark for future impact evaluations. UTZ expects that the findings of this baseline study, that have been shared with partners co-implementing these projects, are also useful to improve the effectiveness of these projects in achieving their objectives. | ||
| Researcher: LEI Wageningen UR | ||
| Full report | ||
From training to practice – midterm evaluation of UTZ-Solidaridad smallholder tea program in Malawi |
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Tea |
Malawi |
2013 |
| UTZ and Solidaridad, with the support of DE Foundation and IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative), have commissioned this independent mid-term evaluation of the tea program in Malawi to gather insights in its effectiveness, appropriateness and relevance. The program targeted 9,700 smallholder tea farmers affiliated to three smallholder producer associations, supplying to three tea estates. The outcome of the research was highly influenced by external factors including the slow market uptake for UTZ certified tea. Although further funding was not granted for this particular project the UTZ tea program in Malawi continues. | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | |
From training to practice – midterm evaluation of UTZ-Solidaridad smallholder tea program in Kenya |
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Tea |
Kenya |
2013 |
| This mid-term impact evaluation, commissioned by UTZ and Solidaridad, gives insights in the positive benefits training and certification brought to small-scale tea farmers in Kenya. The program targeted 33,000 small-scale tea farmers, members of five KTDA (Kenyan Tea Development Authority) factories. The achievements were the fruit of a joint endeavor of UTZ, Solidaridad and the five KTDA factories involved in the design and implementation of the training program leading to UTZ certification. The outcome of the research was highly influenced by external factors including the slow market uptake for UTZ certified tea and the fact that half way the research period no further funding of the support program was granted. | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | |
Moving the bars: Sustainability brought to the forefront in the cocoa chain |
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Cocoa |
Côte d’Ivoire & Ghana |
2013 |
| KPMG evaluated the Cocoa Improvement Program in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana from 2008 til 2012, implemented by UTZ, the Sustainable Trade Initiative IDH and Solidaridad. The study looks at the effectiveness of the program through qualitative assessment of the whole supply chain. The outcomes show how the CIP has the capacity of handling large volumes, really mainstreaming the production of sustainable cocoa. Some improvements of monitoring farmer benefits and volumes certified were recommended. | ||
| Researcher: KPMG | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | |
Vietnam coffee: A COSA survey of UTZ certified farms |
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Coffee |
Vietnam |
2012 |
| In 2010, initial field visits were carried out to 351 coffee farms. A validation workshop with local stakeholders after initial data collection revealed that an additional round of data collection (November 2012) was needed. The training program has led to increased awareness, improved record keeping and better informed decision making. The program contributed reducing the use of (and spending on) agrochemical inputs, which contributes to a more sustainable production. | ||
| Researcher: The Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA) | ||
| Full report | UTZ’ response | |
Social, economic and environmental results of UTZ certification: case studies on UTZ certified coffee farms in Asia, Africa and Latin America. |
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Coffee |
Asia, Africa & Latin America |
2010 |
| This study carried out in 2009 features 10 cases studies of UTZ certified coffee farms in 6 countries, exploring the early results of certification. Its purpose is mainly to learn how producers experience certification in the short and medium term. It does not aim to demonstrate long term impacts. The case studies show that certification improves sustainable practices, cost efficiency and farm income, and that it is also appreciated for its contribution to professionalization of farm management. | ||
| Full report | ||
